A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FOREIGNER You are coming from the airport by bus to a city outside of Manilla. You finally get to the bus depot, ABOUT A 20-minute taxi from the airport; you are tired and the taxi driver seeing you were “American and rich” (anything not Filipino, and from North American) just took you for an extra p500.00 Pesos driving you the longer route to the bus depot and now, you’ve got to go. I mean you really really have got to go.(to the washroom that is) You rush to where the washrooms are (they call it CR (Comfort Room) in the Philippines which is truly an irony because it is far from comfortable!!!!! The only comfort is finally being able to relieve yourself after waiting in long lines and getting past … well, I’ll tell you all about that in a minute.

So you arrive at the CR ready to drop a load, and you depending on the location, get stopped and told you to have to pay a toll. The attendant says “Bayad” and points to a sign that says pay P5.00 for entrance. Or if your really lucky you might see the signs that say umihi (pee) P5.00 tae (Poop) p10.00. I know of a place in Baguio that has this exact sign in a park washroom. No lie! (although I’ve always wondered how they would enforce this lol… let me check before you flush lol NOT! !!!!Anyhow I digress) So you look through your pockets and of course, you don’t have any pesos yet. You haven’t been able to get any money converted yet. “I need to get in … I don’t have any pera” Pera the word you learned within 5 minutes of getting off the airport property as all the beggars in Metro Manila (Like Toronto, Sao Paulo or other Mega-Cities which swallow up other cities) and beyond heard you are coming and holding out their hands and asking for money. “Pera, Pera…Pera!” they say almost in a demanding tone. “No NO, I HAVE NO MONEY!!! YOU REPEAT THIS ABOUT 10,000 times but they all seem to be deaf or stupid. Likewise, the attendant at the CR seems to have the same condition; an instant loss of hearing. You are practically holding yourself front and back as it seems like hours since you’ve been waiting to get in. You find someone that will give you p5.00 and you rush to the toilet stall. Lo and behold a lineup. You look to where the stalls are. There are or were 4 stalls. One has no toilet, one has no toilet door (although some are desperate and use it anyways, another has been clogged for the last century leaving only one stall available. You desperately are crawling into the stall sort of doing a funny walk trying to keep from doing it before you get to the toilet and “WHAT?” WHAT IS THIS?” It looks sort of like a toilet but there is no toilet tank and no toilet seat! You’re sort of doing the squat thing not really sure of whether you should or even want to sit on the toilet bowl rim itself but eventually out of tiredness are forced to do the unthinkable. You Sit and well you know .. do your business. Actually, it is more like a volcano rupturing upside down because the Filipino food they fed you on the plane did not agree with your stomach and the immense 34-degree heat (But feels like 39 with the humidity has you feeling as sick as a dog. So this volcano erupts harshly downward into this toilet bowl, the water likewise is a Tsunami coming back hitting you on your rear end. You’re a mess and you need to clean up. You reach over to get the toilet paper, but Oh this is the Philippines. They for the most part (unless you are at a place that is well off or at a nicer mall that is not too cheap to buy toilet paper) don’t use toilet paper. If you are at a residence they would have a large bucket and a scoop with soap nearby which one can use a couple of scoops of water sort of wash yourself using your hand. (wash your hands please)Then you would get the soap in your hand’s lather up and, be using your hand get your backside all soapy. Then you rinse a number

This Picture may or may not necessarily reflect the Bathrooms of the Philippines lol

of times (You really don’t want to have a soapy backside and soapy underwear) and then you wash your hands and the soap real well. (It works real good even better than toilet paper) (IF YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO IT BUT WE DON’T) So now, You are sitting on a dirty toilet rim of a dirty toilet in a dirty CR wondering what you ar going to do. At this point, you only have a few options. You can hope that someone comes into the stall next to you and is willing to let you borrow some toilet paper, (Oh ya, the stalls beside you were out of service … oops) If it has a flusher (Better check, some do not and require water in a tub with a scoop) you can flush the toilet and use otherwise (GROSS) you could use the water from the toilet bowl to wash yourself and flush again. You can hope that you are traveling with a relative or that an attendant comes in and will find some toilet paper but that is unlikely . (They often will have a dispenser of packages of toilet tissue (similar to our tissue we use for our noses that are wrapped in plastic.) for sale for p50 Lang (only). (OF COURSE, WE FAILED TO SEE THAT AS WE WERE IN SUCH A RUSH !!!!) the options are few and between but somehow the Filipinos are ready and prepared. You finally get out of the stall and go to wash your hands. You look and there are five sinks. One with No sink (porcelain broken) another with no faucet, another with no Tap handle (to turn on water) another with no drain pipe (water just runs onto your feet) and the last one all the taps faucets etc are missing. Oh did I mention No Paper towel in this CR.

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Stories have been exaggerated just slightly but not much. I thoroughly Enjoy the Philippines and see everything as an adventure. You never know what new experience is coming next. If you can’t do anything about it, you might as well enjoy it and just have a good laugh. Take care of yourselves and I look forward to seeing you at the next blog. Comment Comment Comment, Please!!!!

My son Jerome, he loves swimming. We’re not just talking playing in a pool but competitive swimming for his school. He is good at it and he is dreaming big. He wants to earn a lot of medals winning at swim meets and he could do it too as he has the determination the skills and the drive to do it. I don’t want to discourage him; i want him to set his goals high and keep striving to get better and better all the time. It reminds me of how the Bible describes our spiritual race and the mindset we are to have for it in this life.

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience therace that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1-2. Now that’s something to strive for.

So, another Experience and you are looking for a whole lot more (Perhaps something on the Milder side would be better though eh?). What could happen on a bus you ask? Well … we will get to that. First I need to preface my comments with this.

There are a number of types of transportation in the Philippines Jeepneys, Trikes, Taxi’s, Shuttles, trains, City Buses and intercity buses. They are all safe. well relatively safe. I have no hesitation to put my wife and kids in a bus, trike, train, shuttle or anything else this wonderful country has to offer. Like any other metropolitan country, with massive cities, it too has its share of disaster. Please note: the following is not intended to discourage tourism to the Philippines but rather have people see also the vast adventures in the Philippines. After all … “LIFE IS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!”

So let’s make it very clear, just like any other country, the Philippines has vehicular accidents. In the last couple of years, we have seen accidents where the train didn’t stop

A BAD BUS CRASH

and crashed at the terminal, there have been a number of bus accidents involving other vehicles, people and yes, even causing a number of deaths. It is sad to report that I have heard at least three buses in the last 4 years going off of the road over steep embankments, over cliffs and killing most, if not all it’s occupants. In fact, there was a case just recently of that happening, and amazingly, a baby and a few others survived. They say two of the contributing factors was speed and being overloaded with passengers. It is extremely tragic when something like this happens, and disastrous especially when there is a loss of life. Even one life is too much! It should never happen and when things like this happen there should be serious consequences for the drivers and the bus companies themselves who put extreme pressure in terms of deadlines (sorry perhaps not the best phrase to use here (timelines), long hours, etc. They and the conductor are expected to have the bus filled or overfilled so they can make the most profit from a job that actually pays very liitle. OK, ENOUGH OF MY RANT! TOO MUCH SERIOUSNESS!!!!!!

It is not unusual to see buses, trikes and Jeepneys overcrowded and way past the capacity allowed. BUT HEY, THIS IS THE PHILIPPINES. YES THEY HAVE RULES BUT ALL TOO OFTEN ARE LOOSELY FOLLOWED AND YES IT IS ALL PART OF THIS WONDERFUL CULTURAL WEAVE THAT YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE.

So you are getting on a bus and finding a nice seat. (I say nice because it is not uncommon for a seat to be broken so it stays in the recline position permanently or vice versa. You look around the bus and see a big TV screen at the front or if lucky a second screen halfway back. It looks pretty decent with the seats all coordinated with the curtains. the seats, the floors, and aisles are for the most part clean and it looks like you will have a quiet relaxing bus trip. NOT!!!!! NOT !!!!! AND DEFINITELY NOT!!!!! BELIEVE ME, THE EXPERIENCE IS JUST ABOUT TO START AND YOU IN FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. If you don’t believe me go to the Philippines, and try it! (I suggest however that you read this first lol). You got into the bus early and you found a conductor who’s English is not too broken and he explained to you that this is the bus you take to get up to Angeles and then you will have to switches buses there again to get to Capas Tarlac. You thought you had them all fooled. You saw all the vendors approaching you, trying to sell you buko pie, candy, pop, and water, nuts, hamburgers, hotdogs, various BBQ’d parts of Pork, newspapers, Sweet Filipina desserts, Coffee and Juices, seafood, banana cue, and so many other things and now you’re on the bus. away from them all. Or not. As people are starting to board the bus slowly you realize that some of these people are vendors now coming on to the bus to sell you these same items. There really is no stop to them. It’s like massive swarms of flies coming to your seat that you viciously swat away over and over again. Unfortunately, just when one group of vendors leave another group is there to replace them. You almost feel like faking some real bad disease just to scare them all away so that they leave you alone. Lol. The good news if there is something you need you will most likely be able to get it. So the bus starts filling up and filling up oh and did I say it fills up? Ok, it actually depends on where you are departing from as to how full it can be. But often when leaving a Bus terminal it will be quite full. Now, If you can imagine a greyhound bus with a conductor (takes fares), this is pretty well the Philippine intercity bus lines. In fact, there are some that operate out of Batangas Port our ferries port that are nicer than our buses. Well almost. You see If you were to continue on your journey you would after a bit discover that there are no bathrooms on these buses. This means that either you use the facilities at the stops or you have the bus stop and go on the side of the road. Yes, it is not uncommon to see men peeing on the side of the road somewhere. Now, did I happen to mention that these buses are going what seems like three hundred miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic, constantly passing other vehicles by going into oncoming traffic? Ode to sickness. (in the tune of ode to joy)

“sickness sickness how i hate you bus is fast the stops too few, vomit, vomit soon is coming slow down driver here it comes.

driving crazy, weaving through traffic, hits all bumps and up i go.

crazy drivers should be fired, slow down drivers keep us safe. we want to get to our destination, in one peice and still alive.

oh yes, and if you are near the back of the bus be prepared for bumps, lots and lots of bumps. I remember on one trip I had a real sore butt and a real sore head. the real sore head is obvious, I banged my head repeatedly on an already low roof.

Another song my 3 year old daughter sings “The wheels on the bus go round and round” modified my yours truly, me

The Wheels on the bus go back and forth …. all day long

The heads on the bus go bang bang bang … all day long

the people on the bus go barf barf barf … all day long

sing along with me if you know it

The people on the bus go brrr brrr brr … all day long

conductors on the bus go pay the fare … all day long.

conductors on the bus say it’s your stop … all day long

people on the bus go “glad we’re stopped” all day long

(I give you fair warning, Jeepneys, trikes, and buses are NOT MADE FOR NORTH AMERICANS. THESE ARE SHORT, NARROW AND EVERYTHING THAT MOST NORTH AMERICAN ARE NOT. MOST FILIPINOS ARE BETWEEN 5 FOOT AND FIVE FOOT 6. ANYONE BIGGER WILL SUFFER. DON’T SAY I DIDN’T GIVE YOU FAIR WARNING. Anyhow the sore butt is from coming down hard on my tailbone on the edge of the seat. It sometimes feels like you are on some amusement park ride that throws you around constantly and you are paying for the nausea pain and suffering, not to mention high blood pressure and stress.

So you are getting on a bus and finding a nice seat. (I say nice because it is not uncommon for a seat to be broken (to it stays in the recline position permanently or vice versa)). You look around the bus and see a big TV screen at the front AND if lucky a second screen halfway back. It looks pretty decent with the seats all color coordinated with the curtains. the seats, the floors, and aisles. All are for the most part clean, and it looks like you will have a quiet relaxing bus trip. NOT!!!!! NOT !!!!! AND DEFINITELY NOT!!!!! BELIEVE ME, THE EXPERIENCE IS JUST ABOUT TO START AND YOU IN FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. If you don’t believe me go to the Philippines, and try it! (I suggest however that you read this first lol). You got into the bus early and you found a conductor who’s English is not too broken and he explained to you that this is the bus you take to get up to Angeles and then you will have to switches buses there again to get to Capas Tarlac. THEN THERE ARE THE AGGRESSIVE VENDORS. You thought you had them all fooled. You saw all the vendors approaching you, trying to sell you buko pie, candy, pop, and water, nuts, hamburgers, hotdogs, various BBQ’d parts of Pork that we won’t mention(in this post), newspapers, Sweet Filipina desserts, Coffee and Juices, seafood, banana cue, and so many other things and now you’re on the bus. away from them all. Or not. As people are starting to board the bus slowly you realize that some of these people are vendors now coming on to the bus to sell you these same items. There really is no stop to them. It’s like massive swarms of flies coming to your seat that you viciously swat away over and over again. Unfortunately, just when one group of vendors leave another group is there to replace them. You almost feel like faking some real bad disease just to scare them all away so that they leave you alone. Lol. The good news if there is something you need you will most likely be able to get it. So the bus starts filling up and filling up oh and did I say it fills up? Ok, it actually depends on where you are departing from as to how full it can be. But often when leaving a Bus terminal it will be quite full. Even when it is empty it desn’t stay that way, rather you will have people shoulder to shoulder standing in the aisles waiting for a seat to open up. Now, If you can imagine A greyhound bus, this is pretty well the Philippine intercity bus lines . In fact, there are some that operate out of Batangas Port when you are coming from ferries that are nicer than our buses. Well almost. You see If you were to continue on your journey you would after a bit discover that there are no bathrooms on these buses. This means that either you use the facilities at the stops or you have the bus stop and go on the side of the road. Yes, it is not uncommon to see men peeing on the side of the road somewhere. Now, did I happen to mention that these buses are going what seems like three hundred miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic, constantly passing other vehicles by going into oncoming traffic nearly avoiding other ones? You see in the Philippines they don’t drive like us normal people, they for the most part drive absolutely crazy. Yes Crazy. They honk for every little thing and as I mentioned, Filipino drivers weave in and out of traffic and do things that most drivers do not do. In any North American country, they would be ticketed for aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, and making illegal U-turns. They may be in an intersection and need to pull into traffic, Instead of doing what normal people do they will keep pulling the nose of the car out further and further into traffic until the other vehicles stop and then they can pull right into the lanes. Need to do a U-turn? No problem. Same thing. Forget about that other traffic in both directions is coming towards you or that the rules say no u-turns, just do it anyways and hope that you don’t get hit. Driving in the Philippines can be hazardous at best, but especially when you are in the bigger city centers, where driving resembles more a game of dodgeball. (I know I’ve driven here) The only unwritten rule is that the bigger trucks and other vehicles have right away. Obvious isn’t it? Otherwise, you and your car end up looking like a can of sardines. Anyhow, I digress. Back to the bus. oh yes, and if you are near the back of the bus be prepared for bumps; lots and lots of bumps. I remember on one trip I had a real sore butt and a real sore head. the real sore head is obvious, I banged my head repeatedly on an already low roof. (I give you fair warning, Jeepneys, trikes, and buses are NOT MADE FOR NORTH AMERICANS. THEY ARE SHORT, NARROW AND EVERYTHING THAT MOST NORTH AMERICAN ARE NOT. MOST FILIPINOS ARE BETWEEN 5 FOOT AND FIVE FOOT 6. ANYONE BIGGER WILL SUFFER. I DON’T SAY I DIDN’T GIVE YOU FAIR WARNING. Anyhow the sore butt is from coming down hard on my tailbone on the edge of the seat. It sometimes feels like you are on some amusement park ride going up, down, and side to side. Now to add to this mix, at almost every stop light, stop for passengers and rest stops you will have vendors coming on to the bus for a mile or two with you, filling up the bus further, pleading with you to buy their goods. (like that is just what you need when your stomach is upset right?) Remember there are no toilets on this bus. All these factors can make for a very interesting bus ride. Of course, the bus lines don’t want you sick (or at least some of them anyways) so they crank the aircon, (that’s air conditioning that for those who don’t speak taglish(Tagalog-English)) to about -500 degrees (or so it seems). THIS WAY YOU ARE A POPSICLE THE WHOLE TRIP WITH ALL YOUR INSIDES FROZEN SO THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO DIRTY THEIR BUS LOL) (MY OPINION ONLY)

It is at this time I am reminded of that famous Disney song “Let it go”,

Let it go, Let it go let the vomit spew all out, Let it go, let it go, may your bowels and bladder let loose, I don’t care what people say, I stink, I’m wet, I never liked them anyway.

Sorry to Disney in Advance. Let’s hope they don’t sue me lol

Of course needless to say, when you get to Capas Tarlac in the middle of the province it is like +400 degrees (actually only 36 Degrees but feels like 40). It’s like arriving out of a freezer and walking right into a convection oven. You are alive, (this time) and happy to get out of that popsicle stand, but not so happy taking a dip into the lobster pot where in the hot season it is not unusual to need a shower 3+ times a day.

As you can probably tell, I exaggerate some. well, a little bit anyways. I hope you are enjoying the stories, the sarcasm, wit, and humor. If you enjoy this leave a comment, follow me… not literally, just this blog (stalkers need not apply) and let me know what you think. check out my other blogs too. Some are of a more serious nature and others light-hearted. take your pick. Ingat (take care)

If I offended someone, I apologize and hope you will continue to read my blogs anyhow lol

Ever since Hannah was a baby she had an affinity for cell phones. She learned really early that she could swipe with her fingers left and right and that could make new pictures, Then, She learned what button to push to get into the photos. Next, she learned how to get into the music and go from song to song. Now she is into games, on Kids Utube, and so many other things. Oh, did I mention she can go into Messenger or into Skype, choose who she wants to message or do video call to and call or send jibberish messages (she can’t write yet) send emoticons (she loves that) or do other things with/to the person she is calling, and do it all by herself? She is now 3 and can get around on a cell phone or tablet just as well as I can.

I say all this not to brag but to give a little preface to the story I am about to tell. As of late, she has really been into this virtual reality game “Moy” ( I recommend it as it is quite innocent) where you take care of this baby/child-like creature, making sure it get’s fed, plays, gets cleaned up and so many other things. There are approx 30 or more games attached to this all of which test one’s hand-eye skills among other things. I find it quite addicting although the music has a lot to be desired as it is just plain annoying. Anyhow, I downloaded the latest version on my phone and was playing it. I was playing the various skill games (My hand-eye coordination ain’t that great) only to find seconds later Hannah right beside me with the other phone, playing Moy and on the exact same game as I was. I would switch and immediately she would copy me and go to that game. This repeated game, by game, over a period of about 45 minutes. There was no hesitation, no delay, she was right there switching games to that which I just switched to.

in Philippians 4:9 it says the following:

Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice, and the God of shalom will be with you.

Here is the context:

Php 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise—dwell on these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice, and the God of shalom will be with you.

Wow, I have heard these verses many times, but it gave a new emphasis as a father of two children. Not only for myself, do I need to be really careful of the things that I out into my head and dwell on, but also for the sake of my kids, who are watching and copying me constantly.

Mat 18:6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who trust in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea!

“Maize, Maize” the vendor calls out as he bikes along our road in his sleek portable canteen bike, “Maize, Maize,” the call rings out for to hear; a call out to all who are willing to take his offer of that yummy corn on the cob. Continue reading →

One of the things that one often notices when traveling from North America, is that there seems to be garbage everywhere compared to other places. Everywhere there is lots of garbage, on the side of highways, streets and other places. Seldom will one find garbage cans, rather, any plastic or other garbage will be dropped wherever, and it will be cleaned at another time. It seems that this mindset is changing some but it is slow changing, with it well instilled even in the children.

This is not to say that the Filipino people are dirty or unclean. They simply have a mindset that is somewhat different from ours. Each and every morning you will see ladies in front of their homes, business owners in front of their businesses sweeping up and then burning the garbage. sometimes if there is a place where there is an over-excess of garbage it will be done multiple times a day. This is not to say that there aren’t places where no garbage abounds. It does. There are many places where garbage has just been dumped or the homeowner has not taken very good care and so there is still a lot of garbage in areas. In these areas, you will see more cockroaches, rats, mice, and other vermin. This is just something that you have to get used to. There are many barangays (suburbs/ villages) that have garbage collection once a week and this eases the congestion of garbage.

On the Flip side, Recycling has boomed. There are on many streets a home or a small business where people can bring certain recyclable items and get paid for them. Some of the things that pays off real well are when they get the iron re-bar and the copper from fans and other electrical items. Because of the increase in recycling people are taking in their older broken things to get some money out of it, and then the recyclers get an even bigger amount when they bring it in; so it is a win-win. They have on occasion problems with garbage getting into the drain pipes, into the waterways, like creeks and rivers and more open bodies of water like lakes, reservoirs, and bays. it is being recognized as being a real problem and things are being done to counter this ongoing problem. The dump areas in Manila are full of poor people going through the piles of garbage to try and find something that can be used, be sold, be eaten, or made into something else. The stench in certain areas (especially in the poorer areas where the pollution problem is the greatest) is enough to drive even a person without the sense of smell loopy. Another area of great smell is when passing the large pigs farms. Mass amounts of pig feces from all the swine at these enormous pig farms is put into a pit and later used for fertilizer for farming. when you pass these places you can’t help but cover your face to avoid the stench of pigs despite sometimes being over a thousand yards away from the nearest road or highway.

Until the mindset of the people changes, there will be little change and we will have to get used to it. In the meantime, we make people aware of the negative environmental effects on air, water, and soil. It is something that we ourselves cannot do much about so we have to change what we can and accept what we cannot. As a foreigner, the best advice I could give… consider it, and everything else in the culture that seems very backwards, as an adventure. enjoy the ride, take it in. Adapt, take pictures, ask lots of questions and try to understand from their perspective why it is they do what they do. Have fun with it, and participate in the good parts of the culture. Live like a Filipino. Learn the culture the customs and practices and when they don’t go against your conscience or God’s word get involved. Be the adventurer. Ingat (take care)

PART OF THE LIVING LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES SERIES. – Intro

The Philippines is Backwards!

IThis was my first thought when I came to the Philippines. Everything they do seems to be backwards and at least 25 years behind. I mean everything. The way you bath/shower, the way you toilet, the way dishes are washed, the way laundry is done, and then there is the whole area of garbage and how they deal with that. Everything seems very inneficient and unorganized. Yes, everything seems backwards. Oh sure I recognize that not everything is negative.There are a lot of positives too. Here are just a few.

Filipinos are extremely friendly and warm

Filipinos are extremely generous and giving

The country has so many beautiful places to see and visit,: Vast Landscapes, caves, buildings, beaches, waterparks, tourist attractions galore and big vast cities to beautiful countrysides. It has it all.

Your money goes a long way here. There is just under 38 Peso to 1 Canadian dollar.

I will in this series be talking about the many cultural differences, and how one needs survives them, learns to adapt and understand them and how one changes their perception from a “North American mentality” to one that is global.

I was walking along the side of the house while sweeping all the leaves in the front yard with my son Jerome, when my neck found one of the very low hanging clothes lines my wife uses to hang clothes. This is not a pleasant feeling. No not in the least. It might be a thin clothes line but it felt as though a huge tree trunk was being smashed into my neck while being choked at the same time. Just the wake-up one needs at 830 in the morning.

So I do what most any man would do;: I yell out in pain and frustration ” I really don’t know why Bing you have to have the clothes lines so low!” (of course, I really do. She is only a hair over 5 foot, and couldn’t reach the line otherwise. I love her to death but am always being garroted by them clothes lines. they just do not like us taller Canadians.

What I wasn’t aware of was that both my kids were watching. Jerome was in the yard by the not so roaring fire of burning mango, and avocado tree leaves. Hannah was by the front door steps playing with a mountain of toys. Without hesitation, in her comical fashion, she with full animated arms and voice, gets my attention and shows me this throw pillow, with some figure on the front of it. She is saying No daddy no and making huge chopping motions into the neck of the figure on the pillow and she is repeating this over and over. As if that wasn’t enough to make me understand, (You know because us Daddy’s can be a little dense sometimes) she is then putting the pillow up to her neck and making the same chopping motions again at her neck showing that the pillow will protect me from getting hurt. Oh, the common sense of kids.

It reminds me of how we have God’s Word loaded; packed full of instructions and wisdom about how to avoid the pitfalls of life and make good and wise, godly decisions on how we should live, talk and be. Of course, If we don’t use it then we are walking into a clothesline without a pillow and we will get hurt. Just something to think about.

While we cannot list all prayer requests here, this will give you a good list to start with. We thank you for being willing to be a prayer partner and praying for us.

PRAYER REQUEST REGARDING THE FAMILY NEEDS AND MINISTRY ITSELF

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD PULL ME YET CLOSER TO HIMSELF AND HIS WORD AND MY FOCUS WOULD BE ON HIM NOT WORRYING ABOUT THINGS

PRAY THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO GET MY JOB BACK WITH THE SAME OR BETTER WAGES, HOURS ETC., OR GET A BETTER JOB ELSEWHERE THAT WILL STILL ALLOW ME TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DOING MINISTRY

PRAY THAT GOD WILL BE WITH AND PROTECT MY WIFE AND KIDS PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AND THAT THE KIDS WILL GROW STRONG IN CHRIST AND NOT FALL AWAY

PRAY FOR OUR MARRIAGE, THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO WITHSTAND LONG PERIODS OF TIME BEING APART WHILE IM IN CANADA WORKING (AS MUCH AS WE HATE BEING APART NO CHOICE PRESENTLY) AND THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW STRONGER AS A COUPLE DESPITE IT ALL

PRAY FOR WISDOM DIRECTION FINANCES ETC., RE WHETHER BING AND FAMILY SHOULD TRY AND COME TO CANADA OR WHETHER I SHOULD LOOK FOR A JOB AVAILABLE THERE, ,WHICH PAYS DECENT ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY, IS AVAILABLE TO FOREIGNERS, AND WILL BE LONGER TERM.

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD ALLOW AND HELP ME TO KEEP ALL MY FINANCIAL AND OTHER COMMITMENTS TO OUR VARIOUS MINISTRY PARTNERS

PRAYERS FOR THE MINISTRIES, MINISTRY PARTNERS AND INDIVIDUALS WE WORK WITH

PRAY FOR THE JAITEH FAMILY IN THE GAMBIA. BOTH PARENTS DECEASED, AND CHILDREN ARE LIVING WITH AGED GRANDMOTHER WHO IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM. THEY ARE WITHOUT FOOD AND HOUSING MOST ALL OF THE TIME AND ARE UNABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND ALSO ALL EXAM AND OTHER FEES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

PRAY FOR PASTOR ADISON ANAND, (CHURCHES AND ORPHANAGES) (INDIA) WHO IS A PASTOR/BISHOP WITH NUMEROUS OTHER CHURCHES AND ORPHANAGES UNDER HIM. THE CHURCHES AND ORPHANAGES ARE WITHOUT ANY FUNDING. MOST CHURCH BUILDINGS ARE NON-EXISTENT OR JUST PARTLY BUILT THE CHILDREN ARE LUCKY IF THEY EAT ONE MEAL A DAY OF RICE AND BEANS. THE CHURCHES ARE EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN REACHING OUT AND BRINGING TO CHRIST HINDU PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY ARE IN.IN FACT THE WHOLE CHURCH IS MADE UP OF FORMER HINDU’S WHO AT GREAT JEOPARDY AND HARM TO THEIR LIVES CAME TO CHRIST THROUGH THE WORK OF PASTORS AND OTHER LAY-PEOPLE AND NOW LIVE FOR HIM (CHRIST). THEY ARE OFTEN THREATENED, PERSECUTED AND KILLED BY THE HINDU COMMUNITY BUT CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR OWN PEOPLE

PRAY FOR PASTOR ROGERS TASOBYA (UGANDA) HE IS A PASTOR OF A CHURCH AND BISHOP THAT IS OVER NUMEROUS PASTORS IN THE AREA. HE IS AN AMAZING MAN OF GOD. HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT MINISTRY AND RUNS TWO HIMSELF INCLUDING ONE THAT HAS AN ORPHANAGE. THERE IS ALWAYS MANY NEEDS THERE, FOR THE CHURCH ITSELF AND THE NUMEROUS PROJECTS GOING. PLEASE PAY FOR THE MANY FINANCIAL AND OTHER NEEDS

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTOR MICHAEL KONGALA (INDIA) A PASTOR, AN EVANGELIST AND HAS A REAL HEART AS WELL FOR THE HINDU PEOPLE. LIKE PASTOR ANAND, HE ALSO HAS AN ORPHANAGE AND WORKS WITH THE POOR, THE ORPHANS AND WIDOWS. THERE LIKE MOST PLACES, THE ORPHANS ARE DESPERATE FOR FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES. THE ORPHANAGE AT PRESENT CANNOT EVEN PAY THE TAXES FOR IT AND RISKS THE SHUTTING DOWN OF THE ORPHANAGE.

PRAY FOR “Jackie” (pseudo name to protect identity – CANADA) she is local to our area and has been struggling for a long time in her addictions to drugs and alcohol and as a ministry we have been encouraging her and walking with her throughout her trials. She has been through numerous relationships and has a few children. As she has been doing really well, in her keeping clean, she is working to regain custody of her son. It may be a long hard process as there are many things yet that she is still working on. Pray that she will continue to seek God and that, she will put him first in everything; fully trusting in Him to meet her emotional, psychological, spiritual, mental, social, physical and other needs.

PRAY FOR PASTOR CHRISTOPHER MUSINGUZI (UGANDA) He is a pastor and he and his wife also run a nursery school. They have a heart for the poor and destitute especially regarding those in the community where there is no food. There are as you can imagine lots of poverty sickness and disease especially in these small townships throughout Uganda

PRAY FOR PASTOR FAKHAR JAVED (TRUTH MINISTRIES – PAKISTAN). This is another amazing man with a heart for God and His Word. This pastor not only teaches solid Bible teaching to his congregation but lives the out Word by example. He is, along with his co-pastor, Pastor Khaliq are out teaching the Word, Preaching it, and holding evangelistic meetings all around the country. They actively distribute Bibles and other Christian literature in their language. They are in need of Bibles and other Literature, and needing prayer for protection, safety and wisdom for how best to reach the people. He is an awesome Bible teacher who is very gifted in and loves teaching. He often is sending devotional thoughts for the day to meditate on. Please keep him in prayer

PRAY FOR PASTOR NYAORA DAVID OYARO (KENYA) He is a pastor that is also running an orphanage. They are asking the Lord to provide them farmland for a school, for a church and for farming. Please pray and agree in faith with him that God will meet their needs so that they can continue to minister to the needs of others

PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY OF OMEGA YOUTHS – UGANDAthis is a group of youth that are reaching out to eradicate poverty and improve illiteracy, and do (as they are able) improvements in the communities which helps with the overall well-being of the communities. They help physically and then opportunities open to minister spiritually. Like this ministry, they are working to try to help meet the needs of orphanages and other ministries but are in need themselves. Pray and believe with them that God will meet their needs so they can meet the needs of others

PRAY FOR DAVID AND CANDY (CANADA –Names changed to protect identity) pray for this couple. They are a couple I have been working with for many years, helping them to grow in Christ. Pray that God will open up their eyes and give them a real passion and heart for Him and that they will put aside their bitterness, hurt, and give it to Him as well.

PRAY FOR THE MANY CO-WORKERS AND OTHERS THAT I WORK WITH (CANADA) Pray that they would see Christ in me and would desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

PRAY FOR PASTOR DENNIS MAINA (KENYA) Pray for the spiritual and physical growth of their church. Pray that God will help them through the many temptations and challenges they face. Pray for God’s wisdom. Pray that the Holy Spirit would infuse life into that church and that they would no longer feel dry but have an everlasting well to draw from. PRAY ALSO FOR PHYSICAL HEALING AS HE WAS IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND HAS A LONG AND POSSIBLY EXPENSIVE ROAD OF RECOVERY AHEAD OF HIM

PRAY FOR PASTOR DOUGLAS RAGIRA MAKORI (KENYA) For the needs of the orphanage especially food, which is so often lacking despite all the mouths to feed

PRAY FOR FAZIR NAKIM (NAME AND LOCATION CHANGED BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION ) Please pray for strength courage and spiritual fortitude. Pray that He might find another believer that will help support him, but more importantly that he would solely rely on the Lord Jesus Christ for everything and that he would not get discouraged or give up his faith despite those trying to kill him.

PLEASE PRAY FOR RON CASTERTON (NAME AND LOCATION CHANGED BECAUSE OF SENSITIVE CIRCUMSTANCES(CANADA) Please pray for a man I am helping and advocating for. I first met and got to know him very well many years back. He was extremely atheistic, extremely bad tempered, openly gay, Was not at all open to the gospel, but was willing to talk so long as things were not pushed on him. He also could be quite dangerous because of his martial arts background and so it didn’t take much to set him off. He got caught up in some bad things, was tried, convicted and ended up serving some time in prison. Him and I lost contact for a few years, and when I did finally hear from him again he was in Vancouver, where he was miraculously was brought to Christ and over time it changed his whole life around. I can testify that he has changed immensely. He moved a few times many years later he is doing pretty well, a successful busy involved in the church and in ministry and seeking God. However, a former close acquaintance of his who had some severe bitterness towards him has set him up making it appear that he committed the same crime as previous only on a much more egregious scale and because they are very good at covering up their tracks, and because of his past record, the police and others in the justice system have all but convicted him and sent him to jail again. Even the media in his area picked it up and practically tried him in the media despite a full media ban. He has come under full attack. He is extremely depressed, anxious and does not see much hope for the future. While he states that he still trusts and depends on God it is obvious the effect that this has had on him. This all happened when he started breaking off a former relationship with a girlfriend who was not a believer, started getting more into the Word, started getting really serious about his walk with Christ and getting more involved with the church. He was to go on a missions trip, and was now in a new relationship with a Christian girl who is actually a pastors daughter. (and yes the pastor knows his whole complete background) Pray that the lies and deception will be broken off around this case and that it will be abundantly clear that he is innocent, and that somebody else that was extremely bitter at him set him up to be prosecuted.

PRAY FOR THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN IN THE STREET WHO ARE HURTING, HOMELESS, OR WORKING POOR, HAVE DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PHYSICAL AILMENTS OR OTHER. PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE THEM A VERY AWAKENING EXPERIENCE SHOWING THEM WHO HE REALLY IS, HIS IMMENSE LOVE FOR THEM. PRAY THAT GOD WILL BREAK ALL ADDICTIONS IN JESUS NAME AND THAT THEY WILL TRULY SEE THEIR DESPERATE NEED FOR CHRIST, HIS GRACE, FORGIVENESS, AND MERCY. PRAY THAT THEY ALL TURN TO GOD AND SEEK HARD AFTER HIM. PRAY THAT THEY WOULD GET ANY HELP THEY NEED AND BE TRUE FOLLOWERS AND SERVANTS OF JESUS CHRIST DOING HIS KINGDOM WORK.

LOCATION: THE GAMBIA

FAMILY MAKE-UP: Sambou, is a 17 year old youth who’s parents are both deceased and He takes care and tries to support his elderly grandmother, Sister, a younger brother and an even younger baby sister. A Lion ate the youngest girl.

I happen to come across this young man via messenger and the story seemed so outrageous that I couldn’t help but think that perhaps this was some sort of scam. As I do with anyone that is requesting financial assistance or help of any type, I do an excessive search online and investigate through various means the claims made to substantiate or disprove any claims made. I checked with his doctor, his school, his pastor, and a missionary that is over there that happened to know the pastor who knows the family. IT ALL CHECKED OUT.

As it turns out both parents over a span of fewer than ten years both passed away, (wasn’t able to determine why) and left all the children and the grandmother without any resources to support themselves. They used the rental housing for as long as they could but, then the landlord kicked them out, and they ended up moving into a bushy area where they would have a little bit of shade and protection from the weather and other things. As they were out there a lion, (almost extinct in that area but not totally extinct) got a hold of the baby sister, and ate it. They go from one place to another one situation to another, just trying to survive. The pastor wants to support them but is himself poor and cannot support them. For a short time SAMBOU and his sister were in school but then it got too expensive and they had to pull out. They as of the last report have no housing, no food to speak of, no

medical care (the grandmother has had serious medical issues) and have been living off the money that we had been sending them. THIS IS A VERY DESPERATE CASE AND NEEDS URGENT HELP. PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM

IMMEDIATE URGENT NEEDS OF THE JAITEH FAMILY

FOOD FOR EACH MONTH

MONEY FOR RENT EACH MONTH

SCHOOL FEES FOR EACH OF THE KIDS INCLUDING EXAMS ETC.,

CLOTHING FOR THE FAMILY

MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR THE FAMILY ESPECIALLY FOR THE GRANDMOTHER WHO IS ELDERLY

PASTOR ADDISON ANAND HAS PUT ALL 11 CHURCHES IT’S PASTORS AND THE ORPHANAGE UNDER COMEC MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

ARE ALL CHURCHES THAT ARE MADE UP OF FORMER HINDUS AND NOW REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES AROUND THEM –MADE UP OF ALL HINDUS

ARE PERSECUTED AS INDIVIDUALS AND A CHURCH BECAUSE OF THEIR NEW FOUND FAITH IN CHRIST, AND THEIR EFFECTIVE OUTREACH AND CONVERSION OF PEOPLE FROM HINDUISM TO CHRISTIANITY

HINDUS PERSECUTE, KILL, AND SHUN ALL CHRISTIANS FIRING THEM IF THEY ARE WORKING FOR A HINDU RUN COMPANY, WON’T HIRE CHRISTIANS, WON’T ALLOW THEM INTO STORES ETC. TO BUY FOOD, CLOTHING OR OTHER THINGS THEY NEED.

EVEN FOREIGN MISSIONARIES ARE BEING BURNED ALIVE IN THEIR CAR (FATHER TWO SONS FROM AUSTRALIA) BECAUSE THEY WERE A THREAT TO THE HINDUS.

THEIR PLAN OF OUTREACH TO THE HINDU? SHOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THEM, FIND THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO FOR THEM TO SHOW THAT LOVE. AND WHEN THE TIME COMES SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH THEM.

NEEDS OF PASTOR ANAND, HIS PASTORS, AND ORPHANAGE

EXTREME AND URGENT NEED. NEED MONEY FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES

NEED MONEY TO PAY TAXES ON ORPHANAGE SO IT DOESNT GET SHUT DOWN

MONEY FOR PAYING OVER-DUE FOOD BILL

MONEY FOR BIKES FOR PASTORS TRAVELING CITY TO CITY PREACHING SO THEY DON’T GET KILLED ALONG THE WAY

MONEY FOR CHURCH REPAIRS MANY OF WHICH ARE HALF-BUILT, UNSAFE AND NOT SUITABLE FOR HABITATION

MONEY FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SAREES, FOOD, BLANKETS AND OTHER THINGS FOR WIDOWS ORPHANS AND OTHERS

a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

“we must direct our efforts toward relieving the plight of children living in poverty”

synonyms:

Help us relieve the PLIGHT of those without Christ, Those in desperate need, and those that desperately need advocacy, encouraging, equipping, teaching, challenging, and discipleship.

PRAY.

Pray and seek god about What Part God would have you do with us as a ministry but also overall as a follower of Jesus Christ who is privileged with the responsibility of helping with God’s Kingdom work

LEARN.

LEARN ABOUT US AS A MINISTRY, WHAT WE DO, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE, AND HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE WORK THAT GOD IS DOING IN AND THROUGH US.

INVOLVEMENT.

THERE ARE MANY AREAS WHERE YOU CAN BE INVOLVED IN MINISTRIES WITH CMI. HERE ARE JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ADMINISTRATION

AS BOARD MEMBER

STREET MINISTRY TEAM MEMBER

WEBSITE/NETWORK ADMIN

OVERSEAS MISSIONS TEAM MEMBER

VIP CUSTOMER RELATIONS ASSOCIATE

PRAYER WARRIOR

OTHER AREAS AS REQUIRED

GIVE.

CONSIDER GIVING TO CMI A ONE-TIME, MONTHLY, OR ANNUAL GIFT TO HELP WITH THE MANY EXPENSES WITH THE MINISTRY, AND FOR THE MANY CHURCHES, MINISTRIES AND OTHERS WHOM WE HELP.

HELP.

HELP GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT COMEC MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, WHAT WE DO, WHY WE DO IT, AND THE MANY NEEDS THAT WE HAVE AS A MINISTRY.

TEACH.

HELP US IN THE AREAS OF TEACHING, CHALLENGING, ENCOURAGING, EQUIPPING AND MAKING DISCIPLES OF OTHERS, AND THEN TEACHING THEM TO DO THE SAME.

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